548 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



low form orauge, which complements blue; red and blue form violet, which 

 complements yellow ; likewise yellow and blue form green, which complements 

 red. Colors mutually affect one another, from the established fact that the 

 eye, if confined upon one, tires of it, and if turned away, sees the complement. 

 Thus, after looking a moment at a rich green, if the eye be turned upon a white 

 wall, a tint of red is plainly seen ; and if red be placed by the green, it will be 

 strengthened, and the effect is reciprocal. 



The speaker here illustrated with cut flowers the principle involved, and said 

 that upon it depended to a great extent the effect of floral combinations. Form 

 has to do with floral decorations in a marked degree. Pleasing views, wavy 

 outlines with easy transitions, or delicafe spray with natural droop, are impor- 

 tant elements of beauty, and the natural habit of a flower or plant should 

 always be studied and indulged. The form of vase or bed has greatly to do 

 with the effect of what is contained therein. Flowers should be suited to their 

 surroundings. Bright rooms require a predominance of white flowers with airy 

 foliage ; while dark parlors, with rich deep-colored furniture, are better dec- 

 orated with strong colors and heavy green foliage. Flowers arranged deftly in 

 a vase, so that each specimen may be observed by itself, are appropriate any- 

 where. 



The speaker alluded to table decorations and how to make them effective ;. 

 then gave in detail plans for tasteful flower borders, advocating the massing of 

 colors, or planting in ribbons, in such a manner as to cause forms and colors to 

 mutually assist one another in making up a unit of display. In the arrange- 

 ment of flower borders we should keep constantly before us the three elements 

 of garden beauty, to wit : utility, interest, and unity. To this end we must 

 consider the height and habit of the plants, their color and duration, their 

 season of bloom. The speaker closed his very interesting remarks by speaking 

 of the moral worth and beauty derived from the cultivation of flowers. 



The meeting was closed by music, — a duet. 



SECOND DAY— WEDNESDAY. 



Lansikg, February 10, 1875. 



The weather having somewhat moderated, the attendance Wednesday morn- 

 ing was larger and the display of fruit more extensive than on Tuesday. The 

 president and all the northern delegation, however, had not yet arrived, and 

 their attendance, owing to the extreme depth of snow, is despaired of. 



The meeting was called to order at 9:30 o'clock, in Eepresentative Hall, by 

 Hon. W. L. Webber, of East Saginaw. A. S. Dyckman presented an address on 



PRU^S'IJS'G PEACH TREES. 



The speaker took issue with Mr. Downing, the best authority on the matter, 

 claiming that the process of "shortening-in " recommended by him induces 

 too thick a head, which causes mildew, etc. We should follow nature more 

 closely. He set the budded side of the tree toward the wind, i. e., northwest. 

 He selects three shoots three feet from the ground from which to form the head. 

 These will form a good open head. He prunes in the winter, which with a lit- 



